Category: Education

Music Technology for the Faint Hearted

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Music Technology for the Faint Hearted 

CLPL for Music Teachers

A row of music teachers sitting at DAW stations

Alan Fraser from the BEd programme led a Career Long Professional Development Learning session on music technology, aimed at music teachers wanting to brush up their skills. Fourteen teachers joined us from Glasgow, North and South Lanarkshire, West Lothian, East Dunbartonshire, North Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire and Dumfries and Galloway.

The session explored practical, hands-on shortcuts in the use of GarageBand, with one participant saying afterwards:

‘I can see how I would use this material in Broad General Education to ‘spark’ creativity in initial exposure to composition. It was a great course. Well presented, really interesting, supportive and inspiring – Thank you!!!’ 

Heather McMillan, Head of the Bachelor of Education (Music) course, joined us, as did Clare Hibberd, lecturer in Sound from our Production degree programme. Fair Access shouted out about our BEd Bridging programme! 

 Find Out More About Music Teaching Opportunities 

If you would like to study to become a music teacher or are a music teacher and interested in future CLPL opportunities, sign up for our mailing list to be kept up to date. You can also email and speak with the team on: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Bachelor of Education (Music) Taster Morning

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Bachelor of Education (Music) 

 Taster Morning 

Monday 11 December, 9:30am – 1pm

Are your pupils interested in studying Music Teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland?

Sign up now for you and up to three of your pupils to attend our taster morning. Taking place here at RCS, it will focus on providing information for the Bachelor of Education (Music) Degree. 

This morning will be a great opportunity to:

  • Find out about our BEd Music programme from the people who teach it
  • Try your hand at an introduction to music studies session
  • See inside RCS and get a feel for what it could be like to study here
  • Get up close with the instruments and resources available at RCS
  • Meet the Fair Access Team and learn what support we can offer you and your pupils

Sign Up Deadline: 8 December, 12 noon

Fair Access is funded to support young people who face barriers in accessing the arts. You are welcome to book up to three of your pupils on this session who meet the following criteria:

Get in touch if you have any questions or need us to check a postcode for you.

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or have any issues with filling out the form, please get in touch at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Bachelor of Education (Music) Interview Prep

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Bachelor of Education (Music) 

 Interview Prep 

15 & 22 November 2023

Young woman pointing at a music score

If you’re in the process, or thinking about applying to study music teaching at a college, university or conservatoire, join us for our BEd Interview Prep workshops.

Our BEd Interview Prep Sessions will be a great opportunity for you to:

  • Receive tips on interviewing
  • Learn more about the interview experience
  • Build your confidence
  • Learn more about studying BEd Music

Participants will require access to a keyboard for the sessions. Please do let us know if this will not be possible, and we will look into ways of supporting you in being able to access a keyboard or piano. 

When: 15 & 22 November, 5 – 7pm
Where: Online

Booking Deadline: Fri 10 Nov, 12noon

Please note: WACI will prioritise those facing barriers to accessing the arts such as those:

Get in touch and we can check your postcode for you. 

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions about this activity, please email: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Recharge Your Theatre Practice, Season Two!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Recharge Your Theatre Practice 

Career Long Professional Learning for

N5, Higher and Advanced Higher Teachers

A woman on stage in costume, reading from an old blotted bit of paper

Build your skills in Directing Monologues for Auditions and Practical Lighting. Join us at RCS and All Saints Secondary School Glasgow for workshops to refresh your creative practice and share new ways of working!

Directing Monologues and Audition Techniques

Practical Lighting Skills
When: Wednesday 10 May, 4 – 6pm
Where: RCS, Wallace Studios		 When: Thursday 18 May, 4 – 6pm
Where: All Saints Secondary School
Led by: Liz Carruthers, Director

Find out what a typical drama school audition process looks like from Liz Carruthers, who sits regularly on audition panels for the RCS, both in Scotland and internationally. Discover how you can best prepare your pupils or students, including choosing and working on suitable monologues, responding well to re-direction in the audition and being best prepared for the interview.  Liz will also discuss managing auditionee expectations and having a good plan B if not successful the first time, which is very common! 

 Led by: Christoph Wagner, Lecturer in Lighting RCS 

Explore what makes an effective lighting design and how to achieve this with equipment typically found in a secondary school drama studio. This hands-on session will also look at how to use lights and equipment correctly. Using short scenes as stimulus, we’ll consider how to light key moments and document this with plans, notes and cue sheets. With lots of opportunities for questions, to troubleshoot challenges with teaching lighting in school, and sharing solutions.

‘Super helpful and I have lots of ideas to take back to school! Thank you’ 

‘Really inspiring and enjoyable – I wish we had more opportunities like this’

 Contact Us 

If you have any questions or queries, get in touch with the team on: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

BEd Music Bridging Programme 2023

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 So You Want To Be A Music Teacher? 

Join our BEd Music Bringing Programme, starting this September!

Young woman with violin pointing to a class powerpoint

Are you interested in studying music teaching at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland? This Fair Access BEd Bridging Programme here at RCS aims to enhance the educational context of music teaching and get you ready to apply.

The Bridging Programme is a great opportunity to:

  • explore the skills and qualities of a good teacher
  • learn about educational policy and the Curriculum for Excellence (CfE)
  • develop vocal leadership skills 
  • be offered optional activities such as piano accompaniment, music technology or composition
  • receive your music tuition from the RCS Junior Conservatoire

In addition, you’ll gain valuable experience before applying for the BEd and meet like-minded peers.

This free course is aimed at those aged 16+, who are either:

Ticket button for registering

Contact Us

If you would like to find out more or discuss any queries you may have, contact the team on: fairacccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Come and Try Festival 2023

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Come & Try Festival 2023 

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 4 April – 12 April

A group of young people posing in their disciplines

Widening Access to the Creative Industries (WACI) is delighted to announce that applications for our Come and Try Festival are now open!

Whether you’ve got loads of experience already or you want to try something for the first time, the Come and Try Festival is for you! It’s a great way to get your creativity flowing, work with experienced artists and meet other people with the same interests as you.

Throughout the Easter holidays the festival takes place at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – and best of all, it’s all free to attend! 

Festival Programme:

Set the Scene &
A Taste of Shakespeare
Tuesday 4 April, 10am-5pm

Explore Your Artform
Wednesday 5 April, 10am-4pm

Woodwind Performance Techniques
Thursday 6 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Technical
Friday 7 April, 10am-4pm

Let’s Get Acting
Tuesday 11 April, 10am-4pm

Storytelling Through Sound and Screen
Wednesday 12 April, 10am-4pm

Who is it for?

The festival is open to all secondary school-age pupils. Priority places will be given to pupils who:  

  • attend a FOCUS West School  
  • live in an SiMD1 postcode  
  • Care Experienced or Estranged  
  • Black, Indigenous, or a Person Of Colour 
  • Seeking Asylum or Refugee  

The festival is also open to: Transitions students, Aspire North Students, Leaps Students, Lift Off Students 

Contact Us

If you require any information or have any questions about any of our activities and events, contact the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

So You Want To Be A Music Teacher?

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 So You Want To Be A Music Teacher? 

Open Evening for Young People and Info Sessions for Teachers

Young woman pointing to sheet music next to a student saying 'So you want to be a music teachers'?

Fair Access is excited to announce two new sessions for those looking for more information about the training that is available to those interested in music teaching:

BEd (Music) Online Open Evening for Young People

Where: Online
When: Tue 28 March
Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm

Want to find out what it would be like to study music teaching? This online open evening is a great opportunity to:

  • find out about our BEd (Music) programme from the people who teach it
  • interact with other young people interested in music
  • meet some of the current students and ask them all your questions
  • find out how Fair Access can support you in applying and studying at RCS

BEd (Music) In-Person Information Session for Music teachers

Where: City Halls, Glasgow
When: Mon 22 May
Time: 3:30pm – 4:30pm

Join us as Mairi Warren, Music teacher and lecturer on the BEd programme, talks about how RCS and Fair Access build the music teachers of tomorrow! In this session you can hear about:

  • what your pupils can be doing now to get ready to apply
  • how Fair Access can support eligible pupils via our free Bridging Programme
  • hear from current students on the BEd

 Get In Touch 

If you have any questions or queries, email: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

Bachelor of Education (Music) Audition Prep

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 Monologue Audition Prep 

7 & 14 November, 6 – 8pm

Two students with violins looking at teacher

Are you interested in studying to become a music teacher at College, University, or Conservatoire?

Sign up and join us in person at RCS for our workshops to help you prepare for your audition/interview!

Taking place from 6pm-8pm on Monday 7 & 14 November, the two workshops will be a great opportunity for you to: 

  • Prepare for the Audition/Interview Scenario
  • Receive Feedback and Top Tips
  • Ask questions about the Audition/Interview Process

Booking Deadline: 2nd November

Remember, it can be any music education course that you are applying for at any institution to attend this workshop. You just need to be eligible to attend by being a WACI or Transitions student.

Not sure if you’re eligible to join WACI? Check on our website at: rcs.ac.uk/waci It’s free to join and all our events and activities are free for those who are eligible to sign up.

 Get in touch 

If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk

Apply Now To Become A Fair Access Ambassador!

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 FAIR ACCESS AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME 

September 2022 through to Summer 2023

⭐️ Applications are now open for our Fair Access Ambassador programme ⭐️

Young people sitting chatting in student area

 What is Fair Access? 

The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland is an inclusive and diverse environment. We want to encourage as many people as possible, regardless of their background, to get involved with the performing and production arts. The Fair Access department at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland run two programmes – Transitions and WACI – alongside our Fair Access Outreach and Partnership programme. 📽 Watch more here.

 The work of Fair Access Ambassadors 

Our Ambassadors work alongside our staff to help promote and provide information on opportunities around entering into the performing and production arts and our Fair Access activities and events within their local schools and communities. In return, our Ambassadors gain experience within the arts sector, working with people, and developing teamwork and communication skills alongside bespoke training opportunities.

 About you! 

The Ambassador programme is aimed at those aged 16+ who are passionate about the performing and production arts. You will meet the WACI eligibility criteria or be a current Transitions student. Checking your emails regularly, having good knowledge in social media, clear communication skills and being comfortable in social situations are an advantage.

 When will I need to be available? 

Aside from normal Ambassador activities, you will be available to attend our Ambassador meetings either at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland or via Zoom:

▪️ Residential Weekend: 2 – 4 September
▪️ Meetings: 20 Nov 22, 18 Feb 23 and 17 Jun 23.

 Sounds good, where / how do I sign up? 

Our application form will ask you to fill in your personal details and write a short response to the following questions:

▪️ Why are the arts important?
▪️ How would you promote the arts within your community to young people?
▪️ Why and how would you commit to being a Fair Access Ambassador?

*Alternatively, you can attach a short video (2-3 mins) that answers the questions above.

 Completing you application 

To complete your application we ask that you provide a reference from someone you know who is involved in the arts. This can be a teacher, tutor, community practitioner etc.

Get in touch 

If you require further information or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: fairaccesshello@rcs.ac.uk

WACI x RCS Summer School Scholarships

Posted on by Yvonne McLellan

 SUMMER SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIPS 

Now Open for Application

WACI are delighted to announce that our scholarships for RCS Summer Schools are now open for applications. 

Young people playing strings in an orchestra

Each WACI pupil can now apply for a fully-funded place on an RCS Summer School of their choice (subject to availability). Taking place throughout the summer holidays, these courses offer you the chance to try something new or develop your existing experience within your chosen art form.

Summer School Availability

There are a whole variety of summer schools to choose from in Dance, Drama, Music, Film and Production. Visit the RCS Summer Schools website here to see the selection of courses you can choose from. Some of the courses are very popular where spaces fill up quickly. We’ll be assessing applications as and when they come in, so get your application in as soon as you can to avoid being disappointed!

How to apply

1. If you haven’t already, firstly register with the WACI programme

2. Then, fill out the application form to let us know:

  • a little bit about you
  • why you would like to do the course you have chosen

If it would be easier, you can provide a voice recording or video statement in support of your application.

Deadline for applications

Monday 6 June 

 Get In Touch 

If you require some help filling in your application or have any questions, get in touch with the team at: waci@rcs.ac.uk